Thread: Archive Latest News - Think Tank - 16/08/07 - 03/11/07

Egyptian Government Affirms its Support to the Political Process in Iraq

In a press conference, the Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Abu al-Ghait announced the rejection of his country for the American Congress decision that has been issued recently to divide Iraq, and he stressed the full support of Egypt to the political process in Iraq.

”We refused the American Congress decision, and in Egypt’s statement in the U.N. we requested to reserve the unity of the Iraqi lands, and I believe that the Iraqi command itself refuses this decision”, he added.

PUKmedia :: English - Egyptian Government Affirms its Support to the Political Process in Iraq

Maliki urges Brown for British support against division resolution

Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki reiterated his government's rejection of a U.S. Senate resolution calling for separate Sunni Arab, Shiite and Kurdish federal regions in Iraq and called on his British counterpart to support Iraq's stance against any resolution that "does not serve Iraq and the region," according to a statement released by al-Maliki's office on Tuesday.

The Senate, at a late hour on Wednesday, approved, with 75 votes for and 23 against, a "non-biding" draft resolution envisaging the division of Iraq into three Kurdish, Shiite and Sunni entities, with a federal government in Baghdad undertaking border security and oil proceed management.

"During his reception of British Prime Minister Gordon Brown, al-Maliki said that Iraqi forces are ready to take security responsibility in Basra as soon as possible," read the statement that the independent news agency Voices of Iraq (VOI) received a copy of.

"Preparations are underway to send more well-trained and special Iraqi troops and national police personnel to provide security in Basra," the statement added.

Praising what he described as al-Maliki's courage in taking decisions that "serve Iraq in the long run," Brown reiterated his government's support for the Iraqi government's efforts to make progress at the economic level and towards national reconciliation.

A source from al-Maliki's office told VOI earlier that Brown is expected to meet with al-Maliki and senior Iraqi officials to discuss recent developments in the Iraqi peace process.

"The meetings will tackle the security situation and the handing over of security responsibilities in some southern areas to the Iraqi forces," the source indicated.

Brown's visit is the first to Iraq since he assumed his post as prime minister in last June, though he paid a visit to the country in May 2007.
Britain has 5,500 soldiers working within the Multi-National Force (MNF) in Iraq, stationed in Basra, 550 km south of the Iraqi capital Baghdad. It has withdrawn 1,600 soldiers during the past few months.

British forces are now stationed in one base: the Basra International Airport, 25 km northwest of the city.

Maliki urges Brown for British support against division resolution | Iraq Updates

Al-Askari: Article 140 Must Be Implemented

In an interview with al-Hurra satellite channel, Mr. Sámi al-Askari, member of Iraqi Unified Coalition Bloc stressed on the implementation of article 140 in Iraqi Constitution.

He said that “The constitution is determined by the people of Iraq and it is not temporary, and article 140 is part of it so it must be implemented. Article 142 does not suspend the constitution but make it more flexible. Article 140 is part of the current constitution. Although there are difficulties on practical ground, we work on implementing it. This article is not just for Kirkuk city but it comprises all disputed provinces belonging to several other governorates. I deem that there is no possibility to make amendment in it. It may not be implemented practically within the scheduled period of time, the end of this year which almost ended. Kurdish side shows flexibility on the matter of duration. We are with the Kurds that this article 140 is one of the articles in Iraqi constitution which must be bound to unless amended by Iraqi people.”

PUKmedia :: English - Al-Askari: Article 140 Must Be Implemented

Brown discusses with deputy premier means of fostering economic cooperation

British Prime Minister Gordon Brown on Tuesday discussed with Iraqi Deputy Premier Burham Saleh means of bolstering the economic cooperation between the two countries as well as the latest developments in Iraq.

"The visiting premier has presented an initiative for the economic cooperation to revive the Iraqi economy, mainly in the city of Basra, asserting their interest in the project ‘Fund of Basra development,’" Burham's office said in a statement.

"The meeting between the two officials, attended by Finance Minister Jabr Soulagh and Trade Minister Falah al-Sudani, concentrated on the latest economic initiatives that serve the city of Basra within the framework of the government's projects' to revive the city's economy," the statement also said.

"The Iraqi government dedicated $310 million for investments in Basra, in addition to $50 million to finance some loans," it added.

"The government will also dedicate another $40 million from the 2008 budget for the rehabilitation of the Basra International Airport," the statement noted.

Brown arrived in Baghdad on Tuesday in an unannounced visit. He met with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki.

Brown discusses with deputy premier means of fostering economic cooperation | Iraq Updates

Dr. Barham Salih Meets the British PM Gordon Brown


PUKmedia 2007-10-02 15:05:58
Iraqi deputy PM Dr. Barham Salih met today the British PM Gordon Brown in the attendance of the British Ambassador to Baghdad, Allies Forces deputy commander General Rolo, Finance minister Bayan Jabur and Trade minister Abdul Falah al-Sudani, and they discussed in the meeting the latest actions in Iraq’s situation and the mutual relations between the two countries.
British PM presented a joint economic cooperation initiative to refresh the Iraqi economy, and especially in al-Basrah city.

On his side, Dr. Barham Salih, in the name of the Iraqi government welcomed for Mr. Brown’s initiative, and he stressed Iraq’s readiness to build the best economic relations with Britain.

He also made a presentation for the most important economic initiatives which helps al-Basrah city, where 310 million U.S dollars were allocated by the Iraqi government for investments in the city.

Also, the Finance Ministry allocated 50 million U.S. dollars to finance the projects of simplified loan.

The government is going to allocate 40 million U.S. dollars from the budget of the year 2008 to reconstruct al-Basrah International Airport, and Britain promised to give the technical support for the project.

The Iraqi government also in cooperating with the British Government International Contribution Department studied the initiative of al-Basrah development box, where British PM stressed his interest in this project. The finance Ministry accepted to allocate 30 million U.S. dollars as minimum to activate this box, and there is a big chance to obtain the financial support from the Donor States after activating it, and Britain will cover the expenses of establishing and activating this box for the 1st year.


PUKmedia :: English - Dr. Barham Salih Meets the British PM Gordon Brown

Parliament votes on statement rejecting, condemning U.S. Senate resolution

The Iraqi parliament voted on a statement issued by its leadership in which it expressed its categorical rejection and condemnation of a U.S. Senate resolution calling to divide Iraq along ethnic lines.

"Iraq is not a U.S. property…The parliament has to show its unity to the whole world," stated MP Mustafa al-Haiti, who is also a member of the Sunni National Dialogue Front (NDF), adding, "De****e disagreements between political blocs over some articles in the constitution, they can reach a solution that is acceptable to all."

Meanwhile, Hadi al-Aameri, the secretary general of Badr Organization, one of the components of the Supreme Islamic Iraqi Council (SIIC), described the U.S. project as "interference in Iraq's internal affairs."
"Iraqi parliamentarians are not minors for the U.S. Congress to pass a resolution concerning Iraq," al-Aameri said.

"Baghdad is now being divided along sectarian lines…The solution is to adopt a practical stance and prevent political disputes between political blocs from turning into sectarian divisions," al-Aameri added.

Meanwhile, MP Abdul Bari Zibari of the Kurdistan Coalition (KC) said in statements to the independent news agency Voices of Iraq (VOI) that the U.S. draft resolution suggested "establishing," not "dividing" Iraqi regions along ethnic lines. "There is a reference to the establishment of Iraqi provinces in article 119 of the Iraqi Constitution, which stipulates that provinces are entitled to set up regions of their own. This was misinterpreted by some parliamentarians as the coalition’s approval to divide Iraq, which is not true," Zibari explained.

Meanwhile, the Iraqi cabinet announced today during its regular session its rejection of the resolution and of any forms of interference in Iraq's internal affairs.

"The constitution voted upon by the Iraqi people defines a federal system of government for Iraq," a spokesman for the Iraqi government, Ali al-Dabbagh, said in a press release.

"De****e all terrorist challenges that spark sectarian sedition, Iraqis show their adherence to national unity and determination to live in peaceful coexistence," read the statement.

"We are quite confident that all segments of the Iraqi people will undermine all forms of foreign interference in their internal affairs. Therefore, the Iraqi government categorically rejects the resolution," the statement concluded.

The Senate, at a late hour on Wednesday, approved, with 75 votes for and 23 against, a "non-binding" resolution envisaging the division of Iraq into three Kurdish, Shiite, and Sunni entities, with a federal government in Baghdad undertaking border security and oil proceed management. Initiators of the resolution said that it was the "only solution" to stopping acts of violence that are sweeping the country.

Parliament votes on statement rejecting, condemning U.S. Senate resolution | Iraq Updates

KRG Natural Resources Ministry Announces new Kurdistan Region Petroleum Contracts

Kurdistan spearheads Iraq oil investment
The Spokesman

Kurdistan Regional Government

The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) Ministry for Natural Resources today announced that the KRG Regional Oil and Gas Council has approved four new production sharing contracts (PSCs) and sanctioned two new refinery projects in the Kurdistan Region in Iraq.

The announcement came a day after the Council unanimously decided to award the contracts at its second formal meeting.

Dr Ashti Hawrami, the KRG Minister for Natural Resoures, said, “The projects will spearhead international investment for the whole of Iraq”. He added, “The first step was the KRG Oil and Gas Law in August, also approved unanimously by Kurdistan’s legislature. Pursuant to the Iraq Constitution, the KRG Law is the supreme law governing oil and gas activities in the Region. Now, these contracts with reputable and experienced oil companies. New oil discoveries under these contracts will bring large amounts of new revenues for sharing throughout Iraq, and locally refined petroleum products will help the people of the Kurdistan Region and the whole of Iraq, who now suffer from costly black market imports. It will spell the beginning of the end of the wasteful fuel subsidies of the federal government, and the corruption and crime that goes with them.”

Dr Hawrami said, “Next, we must see the draft federal Oil and Gas Law and the draft federal Revenue Sharing Law passed in the agreed form and consistent with the Iraqi Constitution. These will provide a proper platform for investment established in southern and central Iraq. If we use the federal Constitution as our guide, we will avoid the costly mistakes that were made in Iraq’s past and get projects going not just in the Kurdistan Region, but throughout our country.”

The combined initial exploration investments on the upstream projects will be approximately US$500 million. Estimated investment on the two new refinery projects will be around $300 million.

New upstream projects

The Ministry for Natural Resources today executed two of the approved production sharing contracts (PSCs) for oil and gas exploration and development in the Kurdistan Region:

Award of the Miran Block (1,015 square kilometres) in Suleimaniah Governorate to Heritage Energy Middle East Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Canadian listed oil company Heritage Oil and Gas. The Miran Block is a low to medium exploration risk area.

Award of the Sindi/Amedi Block (2,358 square kilometres) along the Iraq/Turkish border to Perenco Kurdistan Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Perenco S.A., the privately held French oil exploration and production company. The Sindi/Amedi Block is a high exploration risk area.

The signing of the other two PSCs with experienced international companies will follow shortly.

If commercial discoveries are made, these two PSCs will provide an estimated aggregate return/profit of over 85% to Iraq and around 15% to the contractors.

The commercial terms of these contracts conform to the term guidelines published by the KRG on its website on 29 June and provide similar returns to Iraq. The contract signed with Hunt Oil in August this year was also within these terms. The existing KRG contracts, signed prior to Kurdistan Region Oil and Gas Law, will also, where necessary, be brought into conformity with the guidelines, and as required by that Law.

The details of commercial terms of all contracts will soon be published by the KRG as required by the Law. All contracts issued by the KRG are in the form of the Model PSC, also published on 29 June.

Under the four PSCs, the KRG has the right to up to 25% participation interest, and it has retained the right to assign up to another 25% to qualified Iraqi and international companies to further stimulate the local economy.

Downstream projects

Miran area Refinery: Heritage has also agreed to fully fund (on a joint-venture basis) the completion of a new 20,000 barrels per day refinery in the Taq Taq / Miran area, to be completed within two years.

Taq Taq Refinery: The KRG’s Regional Oil and Gas Council has also approved a project for a refinery to be fully funded, commissioned and constructed by the Taq Taq field oil project operators (Genel/Addax) and other local and international investors. The refinery will also be expected to produce another 20,000 barrels per day. This refinery will be completed within eighteen months.

Revenue sharing, transparency

The government share of all revenues generated from the Kurdistan Region PSCs shall be for the benefit of all the Iraqi people. The products from the new refineries shall be available to the people of the Kurdistan Region and all of Iraq.

The KRG is in continuing negotiations with a number of international oil companies, downstream operators and local companies for further upstream and downstream projects.

“The KRG has established a transparent, attractive and competitive petroleum sector,” said Dr Hawrami. “We are open for business, and working hard to implement a broad range of projects that will be Iraq’s best hope for recovery and prosperity.”

PUKmedia :: English - KRG Natural Resources Ministry Announces new Kurdistan Region Petroleum Contracts

Iraq Stock Exchange index higher at first session in October

The index of Iraq's Stock Exchange (ISX) was higher by 0.090% in the first session in October compared to the previous session, closing at 38.585 points.

A statement published on the ISX Web site recorded a trading volume of more than 460 million shares worth over 697 million Iraqi dinars (801,783 U.S. dollars) during the session.

Non-Iraqi investors participated in Tuesday's session with 12 in the fields of industry and banking, with more than 25 million shares worth over 31 million dinars.

Investment Bank of Iraq, National Bank of Iraq, Warka Bank for Investment, Mosul Bank, Northern Soft Drinks, Modern Paint Industries, and National Metallic Industries were the companies traded by non-Iraqi investors.

Shares of 26 joint stock companies, including 14 banking, one investment, one service, and 9 industrial companies were traded in the session. Concerning the traded banking companies, a 6.6% increase in the index of Gulf Commercial Bank and 1.9 % in the index of Bank of Baghdad were recorded. The price index of eight banks was down, while four others maintained a consistent rate with the previous session.

The bank sector index closed at 37.340 points with a decline of 0.133% compared to the previous session.

The industry sector index, where nine companies traded, closed at 11.780 points, 0.187% higher than the previous session.

The statement concluded that 26 companies were traded in Tuesday's session out of 93 companies registered in Iraq's Stock Exchange, of which six indexes went up, 10 dropped, and 10 maintained their previous price.

Iraq Stock Exchange index higher at first session in October | Iraq Updates

Kurdistan Region Guard Forces Undertake Security Responcibility of Garmyan Area

According to the order of Commandment General of Kurdistan Peshmerga Forces on September the 15th,Balak 18 brigade in cooperation with battalion 1 of Garmiyan undertook responsibility of protecting those areas which previously Garmiyan Police Forces purged from the terrorists.

The number of deployed Kurdistan Peshmerga Forces in the area is about 1300 troops, a number of troops also deployed in Jalawla and Qaratapa.
“According to the order of President Talabani and the Commandment General of Kurdistan Peshmerga.

Forces we deployed in the area to replace Garmiyan Police Forces who undertook responsibility of protecting Tabij area.” Brigadier Salah Dilmani commander of Balak 18 brigade told PUKmedia in the area.

“In addition to protecting Tabij area, our forces undertook responsibility of protecting Naftkhane and a part of Jalawla district.” he added.

Regarding the security situation after the deployment of their forces, Brigadier Salah Dilmani also said: “Until now we faced no incidents, and we thank the governmental and party offices in the area which cooperate with us in all aspects.”

PUKmedia :: English - Kurdistan Region Guard Forces Undertake Security Responcibility of Garmyan Area

Iraqi VP launches new initiative aimed at ending sectarianism

Iraqi Vice President on Tuesday announced a new initiative to encourage mixed-marriages between various creeds, considering it an initiative toward the comprehensive national reconciliation project.

"We have to break the barriers that contributed to our dilemma by allowing the marriage between Sunnis and Shiites to rise above sectarianism," al-Hashemi's office said in a statement quoting him during a festivity in Baghdad to distribute grants among the newly married.
"We have to say that an Iraqi man is marrying an Iraqi woman," he added.

"The hope still exists and the most important thing is to build a new family," the Sunni official asserted in the statement received by the independent news agency Voices of Iraq (VOI).

"We want to make up for our losses…we should encourage early marriages and the widow has to marry someone to protect her," al-Hashemi noted.
The vice president also praised the Sunni young men who decided to marry Shiite women, voicing hope that such marriages spread throughout Iraq.

"A total of 250 young men and women will get $ 750 each to help them in their marriages," Director of al-Hashemi's office Lubna al-Hashemi told the VOI.

"The grant will be doubled to reach $1500 in cases of mixed marriages," she affirmed.

The festivity was attended by a number of Iraqi poets, including Adel Mohsen and Udai al-Sultani.

Iraqi VP launches new initiative aimed at ending sectarianism | Iraq Updates